Pictou County Wellness Centre receives ACOA funding for enhancements
Central Nova MP Sean Fraser announces the Pictou County Wellness Centre will receive $201,000 in funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for enhancements to the facility that include a second ice cover, new audiovisual equipment and more storage.
WESTVILLE ROAD – The Pictou County Wellness Centre has received federal government money for improvements to its facility.
Central Nova MP Sean Fraser said Monday that the Wellness Centre is the recipient of $201,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Community Fund.
The money will be used to purchase a second ice covering, a video screen, upgraded audio visual equipment and external storage.
Fraser said the renovations will enable the Wellness Centre to attract larger national and international events, similar to the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Tour Challenge that will take place at the centre in November.
“I am seeing a trend of investments in sports tourism and whether it is the money we put towards Special Olympics in collaboration with the province, whether it is the investment in bike trails that will allow Keppoch Mountain to host national races, whether it is the investment we made in DEANS in both the Northumberland and Eastern Shores, or projects in Trenton and Sherbrooke to improve streetscapes. The fact is when we are supporting tourism to bring people in, we are supporting families and particularly young people. Tourism sector is the number one employer of young Canadians by sector, “said Fraser.
He said during the Pinty’ Grand Slam of Curling there will be 60 different teams who are going to be staying in hotels, shopping and eating in Pictou County restaurants.
“By Comparison, the Masters version of this event was in Truro a few years ago and had an economic impact of $2 million for that community. With a bigger event in Pictou County I know we can repeat this,” he said.
The Pictou County Wellness Centre is operated by a non-profit organization and is overseen by the five municipalities of New Glasgow, Stellarton, Pictou, Trenton and the Municipality of Pictou County.
Trenton Mayor Shannon MacInnis, who is chair of the Pictou County Wellness Centre’s Building Authority, said the enhancements that will take place not only support the Wellness Centre, but also the business community in Pictou County.
“The Pictou County Wellness Centre will position itself as desired destination for national and international events in the future,” he said. “The commitment made today by the federal government is another example of how fortunate we are to have the Wellness Centre in Pictou County and attracting more events to Pictou County is a win for everybody.”
Early bird ticket packages for the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Tour Challenge are available Monday - Friday from 8:30am – 4 pm at the Pictou County Wellness Centre. Tickets can also be purchased by calling Ticket Pro direct at 1-888-311-9090 or online via TicketPro.